Kinglobjaw's Blog

Archive for November, 2009

US Airways’ newest promotion lets you earn up to a 250% bonus on select partner transactions! The way I understand it, if you do between 5-10 purchases from select partners, you will receive a 250% mileage bonus on ALL of your 5-10 purchases. 4 purchases will guarantee you a 200% bonus; 3 purchases a 150% bonus, 2 a 100% bonus and 1 at 50% bonus.

Definitely a neat promotion if you’re going to be doing lots of online holiday shopping! Not need to register for this offer, just start shopping from now until December 31, 2009.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

After about one year of membership, I’ve decided to cancel my SkyGuide Executive Privilege Club. Why? Because, getting these $50 refunds for airline lounge day passes has really become a nuissance. I just rather sit in the terminal next time and enjoy my Dell Mini. Honestly? I will kind of miss that lousy Delta SkyClub at Chicago O’Hare’s Terminal 2.

Still, purchasing a $50 day pass and then having to mail receipts is easy enough! So why am I cancelling? Well, aside from having to wait 8-10 weeks for a reimbursement check, I now have to keep calling various customer service numbers which may or may not transfer me to the correct department. Plus, next year’s membership fee is $199. I’m done…

In the past, I would recommend this membership option for accessing additional lounges, but now I say- just skip it. Stick only to your Club membership or get another one. Besides, with my US Airways Club option now offering United and Continental lounges, I’m literally covered in a lot of places!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Upon deplaning US1 on Monday, I found out about Dividend Miles’ new award structure on US Airways operated flights. Needless to say, I wasn’t too happy about the change, but I am understanding and still grateful as the value is still better than other airline’s award structure! That said, I am now eagerly waiting for a chart that will include Star Alliance partner flights. I’ll be soon booking a First and/or Business class award to Thailand and am wondering if I should ticket before January 6, 2010 or after. Probably, the former…

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

I think flying on Halloween is exciting. Why? US Airways lets all of their employees dress up for Halloween- and it’s nice to see the employees get creative, relax a bit and have some fun all the while having to deal with the crazy world of the airport and airplane.

I’ve seen a lot of employees on Halloween, and my two favorite costumes have got to be Miss US Airways (Phoenix Club), and Gypsy (Las Vegas gate agent), both shown below:

Miss US Airways- she told me her platform was on-time departures!

Gypsy- look! She even has her crystal ball. Oh' tell me crystal ball, will I clear my upgrade?

So while Halloween is mostly treats, my treat turned out to be a bittersweet one. Upon talking with “Gypsy” (since I never asked her name), I found out she and many other agents were being let go in February, due do another round of US Airways cutback in Vegas. Chicago-Vegas being dropped was now the least important reason I was upset! I really feel for these people, and while I know that is happening system-wide, reading about it, IS different than witnessing it (or listening about it) in person. So there I was flying my last leg of the mileage run, and I was quiet, just unhappy about what was going on. I’m going to be flying through Las Vegas one final time in December. I’m going to do my best to take this photo, attach an Above & Beyond certificate and try to locate the agent and give her a final souvenir. I doubt anyone took her photo that day- yet here she is, smiling,  sporting a killer costume helping out US, and us very needy passengers. Thanks for all your help! All the best to you!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark